Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Johnson City, TN

Drive Time

9h 10m

Distance

496.2 mi

799 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

9h 2m ★

6 AM

9h 11m

8 AM

9h 27m

10 AM

9h 16m

12 PM

9h 15m

3 PM

9h 17m

5 PM

9h 26m

8 PM

9h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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New South Memphis, TN

Dee Hunna

Johnson City, TN

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Trip Overview

The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 496.2 miles and takes about 9h 10m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 40, Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 81 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 210.5 miles on I 40. At current regular gas prices, budget about $75.37 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

248.1 miles from New South Memphis, TN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 496.2 miles and takes about 9h 10m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 40 is the longest continuous segment at about 210.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 210.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 496.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 210.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 214 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 387.8 miles (I 40): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

210.8 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...

214 mi into trip | ~4h in | I 40

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...

387.8 mi into trip | ~7h 9m in | I 40

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

424.5 mi into trip | ~7h 50m in | I 81

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81 toward I 81 North: Bristol

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol

481.1 mi into trip | ~8h 51m in

Take the exit toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 57A Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, As...

Towns Along This Route

Between New South Memphis, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Huntsville

210.8 mi in | ~3h 55m

Louisville

213.4 mi in | ~3h 59m | via I 40

Knoxville

213.4 mi in | ~3h 59m | via I 40

Chattanooga

213.4 mi in | ~3h 59m | via I 40

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 40	210.5 mi	3h 50m
Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway	196.5 mi	3h 32m
I 81	56.6 mi	1h
James H. Quillen Parkway	14 mi	16m
Sam Cooper Boulevard	6.1 mi	9m
South Parkway East	4.4 mi	7m
Downtown Loop	2.9 mi	4m
East Parkway South	2.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 40 — 210.5 mi, about 3h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New South Memphis, TN and Johnson City, TN.

Start on US 61

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Third Street

Turn right onto South Parkway East

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Parkway East

Continue on South Parkway East

2.7 mi · 4 min · South Parkway East

Continue on South Parkway East

0.4 mi · 40 sec · South Parkway East

Use the right lane.

Continue on SR 277

2.3 mi · 3 min · East Parkway South

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Sam Cooper Boulevard

6.1 mi · 9 min · Sam Cooper Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

197 mi · 3 hr 32 min · Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Exit 208A Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 40; I 65

2.4 mi · 3 min · Downtown Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 40

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Downtown Loop

Exit 211B; 211A Toward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 40

174 mi · 3 hr 9 min · I 40

Exit 211A Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 40

37 mi · 40 min · I 40

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 81

57 mi · 1 hr · I 81

Exit 421 Toward I 81 North: Bristol

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 40 sec

Exit 57A Toward I 26 East, US 23 South: Johnson City, Asheville

Merge onto I 26; US 23

14 mi · 16 min · James H. Quillen Parkway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Exit 23 Toward TN 91

Turn right onto SR 91

0.3 mi · 38 sec · East Market Street

Turn left onto Buffalo Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Buffalo Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right

433 ft · 31 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 248.1 miles from New South Memphis, TN, or about 4h 37m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.5 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 109 miles or 2h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 248.1 miles or 4h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 248.1 miles or 4h 37m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Johnson City, TN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving New South Memphis, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from New South Memphis, TN

Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Johnson City, TN

Aim for roughly 248 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 109 miles from New South Memphis, TN.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 210.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 248.1 mi from New South Memphis, TN · 4h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Hendersonville, TN

248 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Hendersonville, TN

Overnight Options

Night 1

Hendersonville, TN

248 mi · about 4.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Hendersonville, TN after about 248 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Clarksville, TN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 109 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hendersonville, TN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 248.1 miles from New South Memphis, TN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 40 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 210.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 248 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.

Arriving in Johnson City, TN

The final approach into Johnson City, TN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Johnson City, TN.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Johnson City, TN with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Stones River National Battlefield

National Battlefield

The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it ch...

22 mi from route ~55 min detour Free near mile 239.5

View on nps.gov

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

National Park

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of it...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 410.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$75.37 one way

$150.74 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 174 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$83.08	$166.17
premium	$4.80	$93.67	$187.34
diesel	$5.64	$110.24	$220.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$75

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$205–$315

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 173.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	148.9	1	$52.10	$23.82
Efficient EV	124.1	1	$43.42	$19.85
EV Truck/SUV	198.5	2	$69.47	$31.76

Gas CO2

174 kg

EV CO2

58 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 12 hours ago

Origin

New South Memphis, TN

Afternoon in New South Memphis on Monday

Local time

12:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Johnson City, TN

Afternoon in Johnson City on Monday

Local time

1:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

7 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

9h 10m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from New South Memphis, TN to Johnson City, TN covers 496.2 miles and takes about 9h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 40, Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway, I 81. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 248 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 248.1 miles from New South Memphis, TN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $75.37 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between New South Memphis, TN and Johnson City, TN, road signs point toward Huntsville, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

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Return Trip

Johnson City, TN to New South Memphis, TN

Plan the drive back the other way.

498 mi 9h 12m

Explore more options from New South Memphis, TN or browse trips ending in Johnson City, TN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TN road trips.

Explore maps for New South Memphis, TN or Johnson City, TN on MapSof.net.

Trip from New South Memphis, TN to Johnson City, TN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Johnson City, TN

National Parks Near This Route

Stones River National Battlefield

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

New South Memphis, TN

Johnson City, TN

1 hour later

7 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 10m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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